Thorn In Your Side
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Yesterday, we talked about the Achilles heel. It is a story that goes back to Greek mythology. But despite the fact that it is an old tale, there is some real truth in the concept. And that goes for everyone, no matter how great your life is, no matter how much money you have, or how beautiful your family is. No matter how many followers you have on Instagram or where you get to travel, we all have an Achilles heel.
What is this Achilles heel? It is a weak spot where some area of our life is not as strong. It can be a character flaw, a physical sickness or illness, an addiction, a mental limitation, a struggle with sin or even a struggle with self-image. There are no limits to what it can be, but it can hold us back in not just one, but many areas of our lives if we are not careful.
Paul talks about his in 2 Corinthians. He begged God to remove it. He called it the a in his side. In verses 8-9 he says, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Even though he begs God, the Lord has no intention of removing this thorn from Paul. But why wouldn’t God remove it if it will give Paul peace? Because God wants to grow us for His glory. His power is perfected in Paul’s weakness. And the same is true for you. No matter what your weakness is, God can and will use it. Are you limited physically? God will use that. Do you not meet the qualifications for the destiny God has set before you? He will use that. Are you struggling with sin? He will use that.
No matter what thorn you have in your side, God is going to use it for His glory. So give it to Him today!
Yesterday, we talked about the Achilles heel. It is a story that goes back to Greek mythology. But despite the fact that it is an old tale, there is some real truth in the concept. And that goes for everyone, no matter how great your life is, no matter how much money you have, or how beautiful your family is. No matter how many followers you have on Instagram or where you get to travel, we all have an Achilles heel.
What is this Achilles heel? It is a weak spot where some area of our life is not as strong. It can be a character flaw, a physical sickness or illness, an addiction, a mental limitation, a struggle with sin or even a struggle with self-image. There are no limits to what it can be, but it can hold us back in not just one, but many areas of our lives if we are not careful.
Paul talks about his in 2 Corinthians. He begged God to remove it. He called it the a in his side. In verses 8-9 he says, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Even though he begs God, the Lord has no intention of removing this thorn from Paul. But why wouldn’t God remove it if it will give Paul peace? Because God wants to grow us for His glory. His power is perfected in Paul’s weakness. And the same is true for you. No matter what your weakness is, God can and will use it. Are you limited physically? God will use that. Do you not meet the qualifications for the destiny God has set before you? He will use that. Are you struggling with sin? He will use that.
No matter what thorn you have in your side, God is going to use it for His glory. So give it to Him today!
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments